f for freddy
Airman
Thanks to this site, I have embarked on ajourney since last October that led to an amazing series of "connections and coincidences" the first of these and the starting point for me, was the thread "B-17 crash Brome, Suffolk". Little did I know by answering this quest for information where it would lead us all! I answered Wendy's thread as I had recently dropped some books to fellow 8th AAF enthusiasts close to village of Brome. As it turned out, I was the only one who replied but as Wendy oftens quotes "Steve was the best one to answer"! My interest was also kindled by her connection, well her 95 year old fathers, who as a schoolboy on Long Island, New York, was friendly with Jack the Co Pilot. "Jacks Journey" started with joining the RCAF pre Pearl Harbour and eventually to do a tour of Ops with RAF 57Sqd at RAF Scampton based beside the famous "Dambusters" but these details and research were in the future. I next contacted Clive in Suffolk (I'm actually in the Liberator county of Norfolk) asking if he knew of the crash, to which he answered "I can see the site from my home office window"! This started the ball that was turning to roll in further, until ultimately the memorial scheme was hatched and became a runaway! There were too many twists and turns for this thread so I will add the recent podcast in the attachment to give more details and we produced a memorial booklet to accompany the unveiling and dedication (anyone wishing for a PDF copy message me, but bear with me, as we are still busy with various elements of the project)
So on a (luckily) fine and chilly morning of November the 10th this year, as near as possible to the exact time that B-17F 42-5793 crash, five relatives of the crew and numerous ones of the civilians, we unveiled a fitting memorial to the 17 souls who lost their lives that day in 1943, in the grounds of the Oaksmere Country House Hotel. Watch by around 200 fellow researchers, enthusiasts and locals. We did not forget the poor workhorse who lost their life that day either. When poignantly during the 2 minute silence, the sound of the hooves of a magnificent Suffolk Punch, heralded the entrance of Gifford down the avenue of Limes trees. As the attention of the gather crowd were on this beautiful creature, two young re enactors dressed in original 1943 flying suits appeared from the trees behind the memorial from the direction of the crash site!
An event like this isn't one person or even a committee it is the group effort of so many to put a lasting memorial to the sacrifices of those desperate days into the landscape to be remembered by future generations.
Lest We Forget
So on a (luckily) fine and chilly morning of November the 10th this year, as near as possible to the exact time that B-17F 42-5793 crash, five relatives of the crew and numerous ones of the civilians, we unveiled a fitting memorial to the 17 souls who lost their lives that day in 1943, in the grounds of the Oaksmere Country House Hotel. Watch by around 200 fellow researchers, enthusiasts and locals. We did not forget the poor workhorse who lost their life that day either. When poignantly during the 2 minute silence, the sound of the hooves of a magnificent Suffolk Punch, heralded the entrance of Gifford down the avenue of Limes trees. As the attention of the gather crowd were on this beautiful creature, two young re enactors dressed in original 1943 flying suits appeared from the trees behind the memorial from the direction of the crash site!
An event like this isn't one person or even a committee it is the group effort of so many to put a lasting memorial to the sacrifices of those desperate days into the landscape to be remembered by future generations.
Lest We Forget
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